MLB Player News

Jimenez might get some save opportunities with Atlanta while Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) is out.

A.J. Minter might be ahead of Jimenez in the pecking order, especially since Jimenez has been eased into things this spring following offseason back surgery. The former Tiger is considered healthy now, though, and was terrific in 2022 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 77:13 K:BB over 56.2 frames. It's possible Atlanta doesn't settle on one closer while Iglesias is on the shelf.

Raisel Iglesias was diagnosed with low-grade shoulder inflammation Thursday and will begin the season on the injured list, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports, and Minter could be in line for some saves while the closer is sidelined.

Iglesias will be shut down for at least the next week while he deals with the shoulder issue. Minter has had a rough spring but remains the probable fill-in option for Iglesias after posting a brilliant 2.06 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 94:15 K:BB over 70 innings during 2022. Joe Jimenez is also a candidate.

Iglesias will begin the season on the injured list after he was diagnosed with low-grade inflammation in his right shoulder Thursday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

It seems relatively minor as far as shoulder injuries go, but Iglesias will be shut down from throwing for at least seven days in hopes that the soreness clears up. That would seem to indicate Iglesias could be sidelined for several weeks, though his return timeline at this point remains unclear. A.J. Minter and Joe Jimenez are candidates to fill Atlanta's closer role while Iglesias is on the shelf.

Rodriguez will begin the season on the injured list due to right shoulder tightness, Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Rule 5 pick will be shut down for a week before being re-evaluated. Rodriguez has posted a 4.26 ERA and 6:3 K:BB over 6.1 innings this spring and had been in line for a middle-relief role.

Castro has allowed one hit and one walk while striking out seven over six scoreless Cactus League innings.

It's no surprise that Castro will make the roster, but his power arm could be utilized in high-leverage spots for a bullpen whose late-inning patterns are still taking shape. He's in the mix for save opportunities with Scott McGough and Kevin Ginkel with Opening Day coming next week. All three have posted strong numbers during spring ball.

The Dodges optioned Bruihl (back) to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Bruihl pitched in 24 games for Los Angeles last season, recording a 3.80 ERA and 1.18 WHIP through 23.2 innings. The 25-year-old southpaw appeared to enter spring training in good position to break camp with the big club, but a bout with back spasms might have derailed his chances of securing a spot in the Dodgers' Opening Day bullpen. Bruihl at least appears to be healthy again, as he returned from a two-week absence from the Dodgers' pitching schedule to retire one of the three batters he faced in Tuesday's 12-1 loss to the Giants in Cactus League play.

Reds manager David Bell confirmed Wednesday that Sims (back) will open the season on the injured list, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Sims has been bothered by back spasms, and the reliever won't be ready for the start of the season. Bell also said that Sims along with Luke Weaver (forearm) will likely pitch in rehab assignments for Triple-A Louisville before they're ready to join the Reds. Assuming he has no further setbacks, Sims has a good chance to pitch in the late innings for Cincinnati in the middle of April.

The Padres optioned Knehr to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.

San Diego also reassigned Eric Hanhold and Aaron Brooks in this round of cuts from major-league camp. Knehr, 26, holds a 4.64 ERA and 30:24 K:BB in 42.2 career innings at the MLB level.

Raley (hamstring) pitched in a minor-league game Wednesday and is on track to return to Grapefruit League action this weekend, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Raley suffered a low-grade strain of his left hamstring earlier this month as he was gearing up to represent Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but he has checked most of the necessary boxes in the weeks since and should be good to go for Opening Day. The left-hander could factor into the saves mix for the Mets in 2023 with Edwin Diaz (knee) already done for the year.

Okert was held out of action Wednesday in Marlins camp because of an adductor issue, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

It's something Okert has dealt with in the past and the Marlins didn't want to push him this close to Opening Day. It sounds like they feel he will be fine after a bit of rest and treatment. The 32-year-old right-hander projects to operate in a later-inning role for Miami this season.